Srinnagar

Irfana Tabassum, who revived defunct schools and made children fall in love with their classrooms in Kashmir, says teachers should be sincere in their work to keep the lamp of knowledge lit. "The secret of success is honesty, dedication, and love for one’s profession," she said in a special interview with Awaz-the Voice.

Irfana, a government primary school in Srinagar, received the Best Teacher Award from the Jammu and Kashmir government in 2025. The award was conferred on her in September by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for reviving an educational institute.

Posted as a teacher in the government school of Rahilpora, Srinagar, Irfana took charge at a time when the school had no students, and its building was in a dilapidated condition. Today, more than 70 children are enrolled in the school.

Irfana Tabassum, receiving the Best Teacher award from LG Manoj Sinha

Irfana Tabassum joined the Jammu and Kashmir Education Department in 2007 as a General Line Teacher and played an active role in various educational initiatives. Later, she was appointed as a Zonal Resource Coordinator, where she worked on teacher training and modern teaching methods.

This experience gave her the confidence to take on challenges.

In 2013, she was assigned responsibility for a primary school in the Rahilpora where not a single student was enrolled.

Irfana Tabassum in her school

The school building was in a dilapidated condition, and its registration had lapsed.

Irfana Tabassum did not lose hope. She first improved the environment, arranged furniture, started morning assembly using a microphone, and connected with residents. Gradually, parents’ trust was restored, and children began to come to school.

In line with the National Education Policy, she implemented FLN and skill learning in the school. Classrooms were equipped with educational charts, a profile system, monthly curriculum planning, and assessment records.

Irfana Tabassum in her classroom

Children were engaged in gardening, sports, and practical activities and in no time, the students started enjoying going to school.

Through her efforts, additional land was also acquired for the school, and today it has approximately six to seven kanals of land. She has demanded that the government upgrade the school to a middle or high school so that children in the area can receive more facilities.

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In recognition of her services, she has received several honours from the Budgam district administration, the Zonal Education Office, and the Jammu and Kashmir government.

See Irfana Tabassum's full interview here: